This page brings together external resources for people who are thinking about leaving, have already left, are worried about someone else, or simply want to understand high-control groups, coercive organisations, cultic abuse, spiritual abuse, undue influence, and coercive control. Many people do leave controlling groups and go on to rebuild their lives, relationships, confidence, and independence. ISAJO does not provide emergency support, counselling, or exit services directly, but we hope these independent organisations can help you find information, support, and next steps. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services first. The organisations listed here are independent from ISAJO, so their content, services, fees, availability, and advice may vary.
Understanding coercive control and high-control groups
Freedom of Mind Resource Center — BITE Model of Authoritarian Control
The BITE Model, developed by Dr Steven Hassan, is a widely used framework for understanding behaviour control, information control, thought control, and emotional control in authoritarian or high-control environments. Visit Freedom of Mind: BITE Model
Freedom of Mind Resource Center — Undue Influence
Freedom of Mind also has introductory material on undue influence, coercive groups, and controlling relationships. Visit Freedom of Mind: Undue Influence
International Cultic Studies Association
ICSA provides information and resources for survivors, families, professionals, researchers, and others affected by high-control groups and environments. Visit ICSA
ICSA Service Provider Directory
A searchable directory of cult-informed clinicians, support groups, nonprofit organisations, researchers, and professionals. ICSA states that a listing does not constitute endorsement, certification, or verification, so users should still do their own checks. Visit the ICSA Service Provider Directory
Open Minds Foundation
Open Minds Foundation provides education and resources on coercion, coercive control, manipulation, undue influence, and critical thinking. Visit Open Minds Foundation
UK resources
The Family Survival Trust
A UK registered charity providing information and support for people affected by coercive control, cultic behaviour, and psychological manipulation. Visit The Family Survival Trust
Action on Spiritual Abuse
A UK charity focused on spiritual abuse, including education, awareness, and support resources. Visit Action on Spiritual Abuse
Surviving Universal UK
A London-based, survivor-led organisation supporting people affected by cultic and spiritual abuse, with particular experience around the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God / UCKG. Visit Surviving Universal UK
Hope Valley Counselling / Walking Free
Specialist counselling, training, supervision, and resources on coercive, cultic, and spiritual abuse, including the Walking Free model developed by Dr Gillie Jenkinson. Visit Hope Valley Counselling
Canada resources
Info-Cult / Info-Secte
A Montreal-based nonprofit organisation offering help and information about groups, their ideologies, and how they operate. Info-Cult provides support and guidance to former members and loved ones. Visit Info-Cult
Australia resources
Cult Information and Family Support
An Australian information and support network for former members, families, friends, and concerned individuals affected by high-demand groups or cultic relationships. Visit CIFS Australia
Olive Leaf Network Australia
Provides aid, advocacy, awareness, and resources for former members of cult-like and high-demand religious sects. Visit Olive Leaf Network Australia
France and French-language resources
MIVILUDES
MIVILUDES is the French government body that observes and analyses sectarian abuses, coordinates preventive and repressive public action, and contributes to training and public information. Visit MIVILUDES
MIVILUDES list of specialist associations
MIVILUDES maintains a list of specialist associations working on prevention, alerting, victim support, accompaniment, awareness, and analysis of sectarian abuses. View MIVILUDES specialist contacts
UNADFI
A French organisation working to prevent the actions of groups, movements, and organisations with sectarian characteristics, and to accompany and defend affected families and individuals. Visit UNADFI
United States and international resources
People Leave Cults
Provides education, resources, survivor support, loved-one support, and professional support relating to cultic groups, cultic relationships, and coercive control. Visit People Leave Cults
Safe Passage Foundation
Provides resources, support, advocacy, scholarships, and limited emergency financial aid for people raised in restrictive, isolated, or high-demand communities. Visit Safe Passage Foundation
Recovering from Religion
Provides support and resources for people examining, changing, or leaving religious beliefs, including peer support groups and the Secular Therapy Project. This is not cult-specific, but may be useful for people leaving high-control religious environments. Visit Recovering from Religion
Secular Therapy Project
A directory connecting people with secular, evidence-based mental health clinicians. Visit the Secular Therapy Project
Reclamation Collective
A nonprofit organisation centring survivors of religious trauma and spiritual abuse through virtual support groups and a religious-trauma-informed clinician directory. Visit Reclamation Collective
Group-specific resources
Some people prefer to speak to people with experience of a specific organisation or movement. Group-specific survivor networks can sometimes provide context that general services do not have.
At present, ISAJO is aware of the following group-specific resource:
Universal Church of the Kingdom of God / UCKG
Surviving Universal UK provides support, advocacy, education, and resources for people affected by cultic and spiritual abuse, with specialist experience around UCKG. Visit Surviving Universal UK
If you know of a reputable, established resource that should be added to this page, please contact ISAJO.